Originally Posted by
Pa Kettle
When I was doing some preliminary checking last year, it seemed there was a direct train from Inverness to Ft. William that did not require a sleeper car, but it might require getting up early and going as far south as Glasgow first. Trouble is that I can't really check out as far as August yet on Scotrail to see if it will still be offered.
The only physical rail connection between Inverness and Fort William is via Glasgow, which is a huge detour. The line from Glasgow to Fort William is very scenic, but really, it makes no sense to travel this route as a form of transport, when it's a 2h bus ride down the Great Glen. You could consider taking the train from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh (which is another stunning rail journey), then briefly visiting Skye (there is a bus over the bridge from Kyle). Then you can take the ferry to Mallaig from there and pick up the Jacobite towards Fort William.
It's beginning to sound like I should just buy a standard BritRail Flexipass instead of a first class one. I assume that if I do, should I want to go first class, then I could just buy up on those trains that have it?
I don't think that's possible. You may be able to use some "weekend first" promotions (so, you'd need to travel at weekends) but I'd check with the operator first. For the rest of the time, I don't think it's possible.